A Fiery Fight With My Uncle!

Magnum cannot die; the blade is way stronger and smarter than I myself am! I concentrated on bringing the battle-axe back to my hand and it did teleport to me, leaving Inferno startled. I got up and said, "Never can you or any foe like you cause pain to Magnum. It is beyond your capabilities to do so. As you talked about your duty, I too have a task to finish: kill your stupid brother. Stand in between and you'll be crushed." I announced with no fear. I am usually not such a positive guy but I could feel the victory near. Possibly it was Magnum himself had aroused this strength in me.

I used my Zantai power and focused on Inferno. Then I realized that he was so far already using it and my power was now clashing with his, making both neutral. "How dare you use the ancient Xorain energy, you traitor!" Inferno screamed. I smiled, showing off my teeth and replied, "Try stopping me!" The taunt seemed to get him.

He immediately rushed towards me with his flying skills and raised his right hand to create a ball of fire. Typical! I have seen this move from previous battles with enemies, I thought. But Inferno didn't use the fireball to attack me. Thrusting his hand inside it, he took out a spear. The enchanting spear was his real weapon. "Meet Ignition, your end!" Saying so, the flame monster pounced on me. I used Magnum as shield. Once Inferno touched the ground, I ducked and thrust the battle-axe into his stomach.

The attack wasn't much of a use. Inferno was good at dodging and he had got just a cut by my attack. His rage had increased though. He raised the spear and threw it with such force that I had no chance of blocking. The weapon pierced through my left shoulder and I had to remove it. Touching it was painful because it was made out of fire. I threw Ignition on the ground and my hand went to the shoulder.

I had fallen to my knees with unbearable pain which was what Inferno was looking for. He grabbed the spear and walked towards me. I held Magnum tight for the clash. Druk tried to intervene and save me but without even looking, Inferno punched him hard. Sounge looked at me with hope that I would survive the next blow. I did – barely.

I was thrown off into a distance by the monster's spear and now even my knees gave up. I fell flat on the ground with only Magnum still with me. It had been a long time since I had been attacked like this. So I did the normal thing that I would do at these times. I surrendered all my tricks and skills in front of Magnum. I asked for his guidance in my mind. And the answer came. "Rise!" He said. "My power will flow through you. If he throws the spear from afar, block it with me as a shield."

These words from Magnum suddenly installed in me a new surge of power and I got up. Druk and Sounge stared at me glowing. I transformed the battle-axe into a shield and took my stance. Inferno retrieved Ignition and got ready to throw it at me again. I blocked the spear with my shield and it almost boomeranged back to the foe. Inferno was a little taken back by my defense and new strength. He decided to apply more force and continued aiming at me. All his throws were blocked by Magnum.

If not the upper hand, I had at least managed to make a comeback. "He'll become desperate for blood and himself come to you for a close combat. Let his guard down then attack relentlessly! His senselessness is his weakness and your strength!" Magnum commanded and I agreed. I waited for him to become desperate. His face grew uglier with rage after each of his throws. At last he roared and rushed towards me. Magnum transformed back into a battle-axe and I got ready.

Furiously, Inferno thrust his spear in the air, trying to hit me. I simply dodged all of his attacks with caution and waited for the right opportunity. I tried to catch every movement of his eyes. At last, becoming tired, he closed his eyes and loosened his grip on Ignition. The spear's tip touched the ground and that was the signal for me that he was totally spent. Holding Magnum tight, I thrust the blade into Inferno's chest.

Not much damage was done as he is immune to fire. Magnum's fiery attacks were reduced to normal scratches but eventually – attacking him relentlessly – I managed to push him to the ground. He fell and the ground shook with his weight. "You may be the Ruler of Flames! But I am the Ruler of Xorains!" Just as I said those words, I realized that King Jalaar was actually the Ruler of Xorains. I corrected myself, "I mean I am the Prince of Xorains."

Even as Inferno was breathing his last, he laughed and ridiculed me, "You are a mere boy in front of the King! You shall never be able to even see the Xorain throne for King Jalaar will soon put an end to your life." Suddenly, I fell on my knees and my eyes widened. My sight was fading. Inferno chuckled, "Do you too experience this? Alas! Darknor's time has come." I was shocked to have a vision at such an odd time – that too along with Inferno. Maybe all the Xorains were having this vision together.

I regained my sight but to see a different view. I was not physically present there but I was by now well aware of how visions work. Mount Hysuptris was the location. Raptor too was present there. As I took in all the details, the ground shook. It was shaking like never before. The next moment, half of the mountain's peak was destroyed as an entity emerged from below. The warrior didn't look too tall compared to the giants. But he was still a good fifteen feet tall. He wore a war outfit and the metal armor looked easily heavy enough for me to get crushed under it. The large hands seemed to miss the weapon that the man had on his back, clung to the right shoulder. The weapon looked like the deadliest trident ever created but also as a sword which could be used for melee attacks. My eyes couldn't grasp much detail of the weapon because things were happening quickly.

The man looked at his own hands in awe. Raptor ran up to him and fell at his. He looked up at the King and said, "Hail King Jalaar!!!!! My lord, welcome back. I have longed to see your mighty form and have waited long for this moment." Raptor announced. I was convinced that the man was King Jalaar. The King declared, "I am lucky to have a minister like you, Raptor! At last, freedom! The tragedy that happened two thousand years ago must gain its vengeance. We must capture Darknor!"

"My lord! The Abandoned Palace has risen once again to serve you. This time nothing can come in our way!" Raptor cheered. King Jalaar suddenly remembered all that had happened before he was sealed. "What about Zakostroph? I know he still lives. I have myself gone to his dreams and threatened but alas! He refuses to save himself and his friends from the grave danger that is looking at him." The King said.

Raptor gritted his teeth. "He is a big obstacle, my lord! Just as prophesized, he dares to oppose his own father. I even killed him once but somehow he managed to escape the wrath of death! If something can be said as trouble for our mission, it is him and nothing else." He complained. King Jalaar thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "I can sense that he has killed all three of my brothers. Doesn't matter! This time I'll kill him with my own hands."

That was the end of the vision and I was back into reality. In front of me, Inferno laughed and died.